Listening to Elbow - utter brilliance

Today I’m going to tell you why I love Elbow and their unconventional, often sing-able, superbly arranged and poignant brand of music. First of all I like how lead singer Guy Garvey sounds like he sings wandering through country streets looking up at the sky, or sitting outside a pub, head nodding in the evening haze. Far from the chic squeaky clean Wellington boot sound of many rock bands, Elbow reminds me more of a worn, mud-clotted Kicker boot, a solid shoe that has some weight to it, and a story to tell, yet still manages to be stylish, as the sound develops. The sound they produce seems to have travelled along a gritty road trailing from early albums to newer beats such as “The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver” and the growly “Ground For Divorce”. You can tell already I’m going to have fun quoting the bizarre lyrics to some of their tracks…

The songs are typically slow and somehow manage to be simultaneously earthy and light – take “Grace under Pressure” as an example. The manic syncopated drums, and layered guitars, violins and synth, could be focused on and allowed to become overwhelming, but instead we find ourselves relaxing into the choir’s rhythm, enjoying following that simple melody-line as it repeats and builds, rises and falls.

Other songs such as “Leaders of the Free World”, with its impressive climax, and “Fallen Angel”, with its Feeder-like vibe, are catchy, in an intense, moody way, while classics such as “Red” and “Powder Blue” are simply beautiful, made up of almost-hypnotic forever-falling cadences, and that tragic, delicate voice again. In a moment of lightness and clarity we hear the wry lyrics: “I’ll be the corpse in your bath-tub… useless. I’ll be as deaf as a post … if you hold me” in the superbly ‘out-there’ track “Newborn”, which is definitely a grower. The actual singing surprises by the way it subtly moves from a subdued and beaten-down tone to fuller stronger notes, and often we sense that the punchy or droning chords mimic the strength of the voices – including the strange use of choir in the latest album, The Seldom-Seen Kid, which features a broader sound.

This 2008 album was the Brit award-winner, and, while it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, its blend of provocative, strong themes, energetic rhythms, continually surprising words and melodies, which often look at pity, memory and disappointment, combined with excellent production by the band themselves made this product distinct from most other albums out there. To take a sample, “Mirrorball” provides some gentle moments, creating a wide space in your mind as you hear the broad orchestral backing some more private, contemplative, even romantic, lyrics. The beautifully arranged hits “One Day Like This” (better turned up loud, especially for the euphoric line “Holy cow I love your eyes. And only now I see the light”) and “The Bones of You” (about an encounter with a lover which makes the “singer” character question his busy “work ’til I break” lifestyle) – these are accompanied by more straightforward evocative tracks like the crude, less musically dense “Some riot”, which is about a friend who has a drinking problem: “I think when he’s drinking he’s drowning some riot. What is my friend trying to hide?” The writers show they are conscious of the problems of binge-drinking as a coping strategy, and the effect this can have on a friendship. Repeat listening makes your hair stand on end by the time we hear the deep and mournful voice humming at the end of the track, and you feel the sadness of the situation.

Probably their best album so far, it is definitely worth a few listens in those quiet moments – you will find yourself gradually transported away from your situation, in a way that is sometimes relaxing, sometimes more fully engaging, and as you listen you will probably find yourself entering into the feelings the band evoke, as I did, feeling along with them you are “five years ago and three thousand miles away”.

Good stories and characters and big issues... in Stargate: Atlantis??

Someone who worked on Stargate Atlantis season two clearly shares my view that Rodney McKay is the most interesting and well-rounded character in the whole thing as the writers have designed two episodes, “Grace Under Pressure” and “Duet”, to focus almost solely on his state of mind and ability to work with others – and this makes for some excellent television. We know how, through the course of the first season, he has become painfully aware of his weaknesses: arrogance and bad people skills – and we see how in these episodes he battles with his own arrogance in his mind, on one occasion trying to distract himself from going ahead with a plan that his ego insists would work, because part of him knows this is a desperate measure that will not work!

How pleasingly complex he is, and how much fun to watch him managing his conflicting desires: with his many, many fears pulling him one way and his loyalty to the team and a growing sense of adventure pulling him another way. And while he can be obsessive about women, we even saw his sense of honour in “Grace under pressure” when he would not consciously or subconsciously undress fellow-scientist Carter in his mind, knowing her well enough to know she would not do this for him, and grudgingly respecting her choice! The huge amount of depth in his character is welcome and refreshing, bringing the series into more personal territory. How would we react, if we had the burden and privilege of being in such an important position? Or when we know we are being counted on to run complicated tasks through crisis after crisis? How would it feel to watch another man die, because he knows that you are irreplaceable?

Meanwhile my main gripe is that the heroic military leader John Sheppard has become almost utterly boring and predictable this series, and his lines more often are there just to state the obvious – this is a shame as he proved himself to be the Bruce Willis of Stargate during season one’s two-parter, “The Storm”. I’ve also noticed that civilian leader Weir is always given similar reactions when new problems face the base. And Ronon and Teyla are still pretty dull as well.

Thank goodness for the interesting stories then, which deal with fragile alliances between different societies with different goals, the genetic development of the Wraith and plans to experiment on them and use them, a rogue soldier who, in his hubris, wants to prove his worth before he returns to the team, people’s consciousness entering other people’s bodies and sparking afresh an age-old war in Atlantis, and – the core of much science-fiction – the pursuit of dangerous new technologies. The questions they face of whether to work towards genetically altering their enemies remind us that science-fiction often touches on relevant issues of contention today - for instance, our own treatment of human embryos shows little regard for their actual life, and there are questions too that we'd rather not face about whether we ought to mix animal and human DNA.

Certainly not a perfect TV show, but a good package providing a good dose of action and character and a slice of something to think about pretty consistently in each episode. Recommended.

Review of "Justice" comic series

Alex Ross and Jim Kreuger had one heck of a task on their hands when they took on this project. Choosing to use a cast of hundreds for the mini-epic, they have worked hard to capture DC's classic characters while also trying to provide a fresh perspective on the (Superman-led) Justice League and their role in the world. But have the co-writers and artists pulled it off?

Well, although the self-contained 12-issue series is quite conventional in some ways (a team of heroes takes on a team of villians who aim to re-form the world in their image), they certainly manage to carve out a hope-filled tale amidst all the spectacular action. I particularly liked how the main characters each reveal how they feel about their own personal crises at some point along the journey. Particularly well-developed is Hal Jordan, the impressive and original Green Lantern hero, whose “character moments” really connected with me.

It is true that some of the bigger themes get lost in amongst the interactions of heroes and villains (I felt issue 9 struggled to provide new plot developments or interesting writing – but somewhere towards the end it picks up again). Ross and Krueger do succeed in raising some interesting questions, however, such as the dilemma of how a powerful force like the League should change the world, or best serve humanity, and the question of how to achieve freedom for people without sacrificing peace and without enforcing strict controls. For more of the most spectacular artwork in comics you will ever see, you must check out Alex Ross' Marvels miniseries, in which he introduces us to all the biggest events in the early Marvel stories through the eyes of a reporter – and we join him as he is caught up in and enthralled with this breaking-in of the fantastic and the monstrous into his very real world of profits and headlines – an incredible story.

Post on culture and what to make of it - and some books I've been reading

Posting on culture is fun because there is so much good in it, whether that comes in the form of a great sense of humour, expertise in the areas of creating art or narrative, or by demonstrating careful thought on a particular subject and encouraging debate. This is partly why I enjoy analysing stuff! Can I identify where the excellence is in the TV show, film, conversation, soundtrack, article or book? Can I share it, emulate it, take joy in it, be thankful for it? Let me pinpoint it: Where is the goodness? Let me at it!

On the other hand, there is much that could influence us badly - many ideas which I ought to beware of, whether these are present only in underlying assumptions about life and God, or in more coherent ideas that suggest that laws and ways of living God has intended for my good are unimportant or "not for me" (or for society in general). I have been reminded lately that not the least danger in all this is the way I can disobey the apostle Peter's directions to use the time I have wisely - it's far easier to absorb culture uncritically than to give my whole being to God in worship, even the time I spend reading or watching something on TV, and by making sure I have organised my time so I am faithful in prayer (thanks be to God for a great sermon on 1 Peter 4:7-11 for jolting me to this stinging realisation).

Finally, a faithful response to God when considering culture is to be totally against evil, as He is; this means being careful to seek joy in the good and pursuing a greater and greater rejection of and distaste of evil, when we see it. Even mockery of evil can be instructive to our souls - and to friends - pointing out the hollow promises which some of our culture offers to us. Where is evil? May I stand against it - by the power of God. Most of all may it not go unnoticed and meet my approval!

With all this in mind, let me give you a slice of my own thoughts on my own reading "for fun" in the last few months.

Diving into Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Country at work has been great to help me see the funny side of things, making me laugh out loud on numerous occasions, and it's been a good light read, taking my mind off the problems of the various customers I chat to (I work in a call centre for a well-known department store, more out of necessity than choice!) I enjoyed the way Bryson has picked out the quirks of British life, discussing our attitude to the countryside and history, our patience and manners, how we put up with bad hotel service and endless amounts of rules, and our obsessions with the weather and giving the best directions. Certain eccentric Brits turn up as well, such as a rich hermit who built an underground complex (complete with ballroom) beneath his strangely-furnished mansion, which was found, after his death, to contain a room filled with boxes of wigs, and others painted entirely in pink.

Bryson is also a nerd for trivia, giving us details and statistics that I would never have bothered to consider about some of our factory towns from around the 1900s. One of the recurring ideas of note in the book is an insistence that us Brits should look after our heritage and not underestimate the impact of solidly-built and well-designed town centres on the public face of a town. While commending good design and service that he comes across in his rambling farewell tour of the UK (this was back in 1988 or so), the former Times writer Bryson spends page after page poking fun at the ludicrous layouts or poor maintenance of dismal and ugly towns and British centres of culture, as well as making us chuckle at his misfortunes with various unhelpful hotel staff and in the way he records the prices he wouldn't pay to enter National Heritage sites.

In fact here's the rub. The book had the effect on me of making me notice the things I am not satisfied with. I guess there are good aspects to always wanting things to be of a better standard, but I found myself noticing even more how petty some of the customers requests I was getting seemed to be. Yes, I throw my hands up and say that was my own critical spirit (need to remind myself of the rather shocking verse that is Romans 2:1), but perhaps fuelled a little by Bryson (?) Let's not underestimate the impact of words.

Finally, Bryson's interesting idea to make all heritage sites, cultural landmarks and cathedrals free to explore probably isn't realistic - something makes me think that actually in this life we can't have things for free (more's the pity). No matter how admirable it is for us to focus our efforts on the upkeep of our hilly countryside and cultural landmarks, this side of heaven things are going to get broken and costly. And earning things by sweat and hard graft is necessary and right.

A second book to mention briefly (I always spend too many words dealing with one subject!) is the frankly brilliant The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde. If you know me, I've probably already recommended this one to you. Fforde is great at imagining for us new and bizarre scenarios in a pacey read that is stuffed full of clever puns and literary jokes. Brilliantly funny, while still having a proper mystery to unravel. What made this book, the first in Fforde's second ongoing series, particularly fun for me was the fact that he takes fairly mundane real-life locales from my university town, Reading, and then puts in violent murders of his own bizarre interpretations of fairy-tale and nursery rhyme characters. Local narcoleptic Willie Winkie is discovered face-down dead in Palmer Park, Humpty Dumpty's notoriously seedy life has ended in pieces, and the Gingerbread Man is thankfully incarcerated in a local asylum (no one could face those gnashing iced lips and blackest gum-drop eyes alone). I especially like how the detectives are obsessed with becoming the next Sherlock, and having that "Eureka" moment, and Jack Spratt's sensitivity about giants. The sequel is, so far, just as amusing. I challenge you to find a comedy writer as fun to read!

Finally, one book has recently brought home powerfully how much of a mess I am in before God, and yet what a firm basis I have for hope despite this, and is a book for serious personal study which I'd definitely recommend. The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges is currently informing my prayers, thoughts and dreams, and urging me into action in pursuing all the good things that Jesus would have me be: Righteous, full of thankfulness, dependent on God, disciplined, faithful - ultimately, being like Jesus. What an incredible thought: that this life (for Christians) is a journey towards being more like Him! And yet what a helpful reminder it has been to me that love of God involves total obedience and whole-hearted effort, and a recognition that I'm not good enough. Again, through friends, I have been reminded of God's first and only requirement for heaven: "a broken and contrite heart" before him, as we trust in his plan to save us, and not in our own efforts (Psalm 51:17, cf. Romans 3 and 4). And this book helpfully instructs us to remind ourselves of this gospel daily - and that, as Christians, we continue to depend on God to work through our efforts and bring real change and spiritual growth as only He can (1 Cor 3:7). And so it seems fitting to end this article with another lesson from the book: That we must come under God's living words, the Bible, to be transformed in our thinking by God as he works through his Spirit.

More thoughts on culture coming up - hopefully a mix of the light-hearted and serious, heady adventure and fun and grandiose ideology all tumbled up together.

Thoughts about the gospel

On the way to work yesterday a couple of fantastic things struck me, related to the gospel. First I was reminded of God’s goodness. Secondly I began to think a bit about a Christian song in which the singers commit to “hail God as King” and what that really means.

So why did I get thinking about God’s goodness? Well, I take the Gosport ferry to Portsmouth each day (yes, even some Sundays) and en route yesterday, surrounded by early-bird Christmas shoppers, I spent a few minutes contemplating Isaiah chapter 1. This important prophet spoke words from God to the nation God had chosen to be his own children, the nation of Israel. First, let’s get some context – and then you will see why God’s words are so fantastic here.

At this point in Israel's history, corruption was rife in Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel) and it's clear that the people, and notably their leaders, had forgotten the awesome holiness of God - because they had started appropriating ideas from other nations about how to worship. They must have come to the point where they thought the old rules of temple worship "couldn't really be all that important", when of course they were actually designed to provide atonement for them and remind them of God's power and their relationship with him.

In short, these people were forgetting God, even putting their trust in other gods and worshipping them. So God has called Isaiah to bring them a wake-up call.

What struck me was the mixture of sober warning (we all need this more often than we like to admit) and promises of reward that are in this opening chapter. Isaiah clearly shows how Israel's disobedience hurts God ("the LORD has spoken: 'Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.'" Israel does not even "know" God any more - v2-3). Despite causing the God of the universe anguish by the choices they have made, they are even continuing to do wrong (v5).

As we read on, God shows them their arrogance in assuming a few religious gestures will satisfy him when they come into his holy presence (v12-15). The message is clear: they must turn from wrong and live the right way (v16-17). And as this Israeli stop sign suggests, stopping is an urgent matter!

But here's the staggering thing: despite the enormity of the problem between them and God, God invites them to come back to him, and tells them he will wash them clean - in fact totally spotless and free from sin! (v18) No matter how they have taken for granted his gifts, ignored the ways he wants them to live, and started to worship idols – he still is ready to give them total righteousness before him! How generous is God!

Isn’t this our situation, too? God has worked in history to bring us a Saviour and to make known the blessing we can have in him. Furthermore, he has worked in my life to give me access to the Bible, and to teaching about him, and to churches and Christians of all kinds who have helped me along. He created me and my family and he has brought me up to know him. And yet, how often do I pay him back by ignoring what he wants me to do, or treasuring other things in life more than him, such as my reputation or material things I want to get hold of? The things I do offend him, and my arrogance before him can be appalling (thinking that I am good and worth helping). I know I must stop these wrong ways, although I know I can never make up for all the wrong I've already done.

And yet what is God’s response to all this?
For starters, the gift of righteousness to all who turn to follow him and believe in Jesus. A total removal of my past sin and guilt, because of Jesus. An eternal future, with promises of Jesus continuing to pour out his riches on us, so that our joy will be full. Our God is a breathtaking God, with a heart of the biggest love you will ever find.

So there you have it. A brief look at the gospel from Isaiah. It’s there laid out for us to read and marvel at, and isn't it wonderful? Isn't God wonderful?

And what was my other thought on the way to work? I started thinking about a song we sing at church very occasionally called “I will worship”. To me it seems the perfect “response” song, once we have all had a reading or song or talk highlighting just what Jesus has done on the cross – perfect because it outlines the ways we all must worship: trusting God “alone” (ie. above all others) for the way forward, following and honouring him “as King”, giving to him, praising him (ie showing our thankfulness to him), longing to be more worshipful (recognising our weaknesses) and “bowing” to him (submitting to his ways). Challenging stuff – but then again, what else can we do when faced with such a mighty yet loving, totally wonderful, God?

The future

“Tortured feet break away from threadbare shoes”
- that’s all.
Yellow-parched skin, now brushing against the wind.

Hard-lined mouths which put lives into cruel focus -
Frustrated by answers, and unexpected new managers.

Watery eyes, wistful through the entirety of generation Y -
Find hope to relate again, drawing out vitality through sockets of gold,
Creative minds and legs which bend and reach and go.

Babies stand their personalities up-right, and shine.
Mother’s wisdom cares for them, without strain.
Shout it out: “A family is well again!”

Aching remembered, we cry “Worth it, all worth it!”
Music climbing, broad sounds filling out our clothes,
Activity unhindered, progress never unmade
- people purposed, concentrating, thinking, relaxing;
Growing.

Rushing of air, as solid trees walk towards one another
- as if, at first.
Hopes that return, from the crown laden down.

The mission of our lives

Mission control, it’s mission control
It’s inward and boxed-up for an age
It’s opinion and advice and working with limits
It’s life or death for the computer screen man

Lift-off, it’s lift-off
It’s a miracle of colour and prestige and dignitaries
It’s a chance for feet to float in a steel womb
Away from earth

Dead space, it’s dead space
It’s the way forward, it’s a rush
Spot a world (far bigger than the feat)
Already there to be used

Landing, it’s touchdown,
Look at that! Those swallowing waves!
It’s a journey as yet barely made;
Human ingenuity does not swerve.

Feelings

It had wise eyes
Creeping softly
Treading carefully on my chin
Lining up ideas and weighing out feelings

It studied and scrutinised and pinned down my skin
And walled it up in long sheets – or allowed it to flow out a little,
Listening to its shape
With those –eyes.

What was it that it wanted?

Triumphant I flicked away its dreamed presence,
Discarded the hungered look
And moved on.

Our report

Vacancy and poetry:
Ten times the employment rate of brainpower;
Five times held back by the statistics of strangers.

Hunger and management:
A gaping hole without open borders;
A regretful set of administrative errors.

Efficient armageddon:
Doomsayers which stand back and watch the system fail
Say nothing more from their computers

Thus, in conclusion, the action stops.


The above poem is borne from my feelings of frustration over certain politic and social problems I sometimes end up thinking about. Soon, I will be posting some more poems, including one that questions the what kind of progress our society is making (it's always assumed that we are so much better now than we used to be, isn't it?) and another which should clearly let you see where I think hope really lies. Hope you enjoy them and have a happy Christmas!

Fullmetal Alchemist

Ever since watching the movie-like episodes of Batman: the Animated Series on a Saturday morning as a kid, I have been excited about the stories animation can tell (I guess maybe Disney films like The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, Aladdin, The Sword in the Stone, and Toy Story probably helped.) But watching this popular Japanese anime series was something different. It is a 51 episode series, telling one complete story aside from a few unrelated quests and some episodes more based on developing characters. The whole thing has a varied tone, and is (broadly) a fun adventure story – but it really made me laugh, and certain scenes are creepy, incredibly so, for such a colourful story. It deals with some big issues like the loss of family members, the dangers of all-consuming obsessions, and the difficulty of coping with death in general, as well as a background theme of the damage caused by military oppression and racism.

The strong friendship of teenage brothers Ed and Al is a staple element of the formula, and together they leave home (Odyssey-like) to discover the secrets of alchemy, so that they can un-do a past catastrophe which left Al’s soul body-less and grafted to a giant suit of armour. Being essentially a walking ghost with an imposing outer shell makes life difficult for Al (unsurprisingly) and the friendship of the brothers is put to the test in extraordinary ways throughout this fantastic journey. The military characters are also very well-realised and a highlight of the series.

Mostly you will be carried along by the compelling, often tense story into a mix of emotions. Through the main two characters we are encouraged to explore the right and just thing to do when faced with monsters and criminals, outlawed civilians and even those we have brought up or influenced (think Frankenstein’s monster). As you can probably tell, the rich plotlines and interesting themes set this totally apart for me from any other series I’ve seen. And for those who have already seen it, I hear that a new series based on the characters is in the works! Magic!

The movie [pictured above] is a fun follow-up to the series, but only for fans, and even then it's nothing to write home about.